Azernews.Az

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has said, on a visit to Turkey, that a proper assessment of the current situation in the region by Armenian leaders was required to reach a solution to the long-standing Upper (Nagorno) Garabagh conflict.
"We hope that the new situation emerging in the region [after the latest wave of unrest in Georgia] will make the parties dealing with, and interested in, a settlement to the Garabagh conflict more active. I hope that Armenia`s new leadership will properly analyze this situation. It is in this case that the Garabagh conflict could find its solution," President Aliyev told the Turkish parliament on Thursday during his first official foreign visit after re-election in mid-October.
Aliyev said the greatest problem concerning peace and security in the region is the occupation of Upper Garabagh by Armenia. The head of state reiterated that Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity will be restored and the country`s citizens who have suffered from Armenian occupation and policies of ethnic cleansing will return to their homes. In order to accomplish this, Yerevan must put forth the political will and fully abide by principles of international law, which it is currently violating, the Azerbaijani leader added.
Since the early 1990s, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Upper Garabagh region and seven surrounding districts, displacing about one million Azeris. In 1994, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a ceasefire agreement that ended lengthy hostilities. About 30,000 people were killed in the 1990s war and soldiers on both sides continue to exchange sporadic fire, claiming lives.
Aliyev emphasized that Armenia has yet to comply with four UN resolutions on unconditional withdrawal of its armed forces from the occupied Azerbaijani territories.
"Although a decision has been recently adopted at the UN General Assembly with Turkey`s support demanding Armenian pullout from our land, it is not being enforced either. We are witnessing Yerevan`s indifference to international norms. But we are hopeful that the parties engaged in the conflict settlement in the region will exert their influence on this situation," Aliyev said in a speech that was applauded by Turkish MPs.
President Aliyev said the intensified efforts of Turkey and Russia in the peace process, as well as the signing on November 2 of a declaration on a political settlement to the Garabagh problem with the Armenian and Russian presidents in Moscow, increases Baku`s optimism.
"The declaration cites a solution based upon international principles and by a stage-by-stage means, which reflects Azerbaijan`s stance. This is what we`ve always wanted. First, the occupied territories are to be vacated and then the displaced persons are to return home. Only after that, is it possible to determine the future status of Garabagh, on the condition that this status would not trample on Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity."
Aliyev also said relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan are like no other relationship among the countries of the world. "Relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan, which are based on friendship and brotherhood, will continue to grow and bring peace and welfare to our peoples."
Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Deniz Baykal, chairman of the main opposition Republican People`s Party (CHP), and Devlet Bahceli, chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), were among the Turkish dignitaries who listened to Aliyev`s parliamentary address.
During his stay in Turkey, Aliyev held meetings with Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan.
Aliyev told a joint news briefing after meeting President Gul that efforts aiming to resolve the Garabagh conflict should be continued. He said the declaration signed by the Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders were grounds for reaching a peace accord between Baku and Yerevan.
President Gul regarded the signing of the document as the start of a new stage in the peace process.
"We believe that the execution of the declaration will facilitate a settlement of the Garabagh conflict, paving the way for the resolution of other South Caucasus conflicts through political dialog. Turkey supports the signing of such a document by the Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents within these conditions of mutual understanding. We hope talks will be sustainable and are confident that the interested parties will do everything in their power to provide assistance," Gul said.
The Azerbaijani leader departed Ankara later on Thursday. Aliyev`s visit to Turkey took place immediately following his meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Russia.